Interview with Larry Walker, Jr., January 29, 2018Collection: Two-Party Georgia Oral History Project |
Dublin Core
Description
Walker discusses his background and childhood, and talks about running for the Georgia House at Sam Nunn’s behest in 1972, winning as a Democrat. He tells of his first few terms in the legislature and his leadership role in the House. Walker describes more tangential topics that affected his tenure in the House, including the economic plans of various governors and the urban-rural divide in Georgia. He discusses cooperating with House Republicans, explaining how he believed they grew into a viable force in Georgia politics. Walker moves on to his service outside of the legislature, joining the Georgia Department of Transportation board in 2007 and the University System of Georgia Board of Regents in 2009. He concludes by talking about the future of Georgia politics, which he believes will become much more competitive as Republicans move further to the right and leave moderate voters for the Democrats.
Larry Walker, Jr. was born to a family in the agriculture business in Perry, Georgia, where he has remained his whole life. Walker attended the University of Georgia for both his undergraduate and law degrees, receiving a BBA in 1964 and a J.D. the following year. He returned to Perry to work as a municipal court judge, staying in that position until becoming the city attorney for Perry, which he worked as for eight years. In 1972, Walker ran for Sam Nunn’s seat in the Georgia House of Representatives after the former vacated it to run for the United State Senate. Walker won and joined the Georgia House in 1973, where he remained until his retirement in 2005. During that time, Walker worked his way to become the floor leader for Governors Joe Frank Harris and Zell Miller. Walker also became the House majority leader in 1986, holding that seat until his retirement.
Larry Walker, Jr. was born to a family in the agriculture business in Perry, Georgia, where he has remained his whole life. Walker attended the University of Georgia for both his undergraduate and law degrees, receiving a BBA in 1964 and a J.D. the following year. He returned to Perry to work as a municipal court judge, staying in that position until becoming the city attorney for Perry, which he worked as for eight years. In 1972, Walker ran for Sam Nunn’s seat in the Georgia House of Representatives after the former vacated it to run for the United State Senate. Walker won and joined the Georgia House in 1973, where he remained until his retirement in 2005. During that time, Walker worked his way to become the floor leader for Governors Joe Frank Harris and Zell Miller. Walker also became the House majority leader in 1986, holding that seat until his retirement.
Date
2018-01-29
Identifier
RBRL425TPGA-036
Coverage
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Location
Duration
58 minutes
Citation
Larry Walker, Jr. and Ashton Ellett, “Interview with Larry Walker, Jr., January 29, 2018,” UGA Special Collections Libraries Oral Histories, accessed April 20, 2024, https://russelllibraryoralhistory.org/RBRL425TPGA/RBRL425TPGA-036.